The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is investigating the killing of four persons in Masimba Kajiado County.
On Thursday angry residents protesting human-wildlife conflict, battled with security officials from the elite General Service Unit, resulting in the incident.
According to IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori, a team had been deployed to the region to gather information on what had happened.
“A Rapid Response Team was this morning 3rd June 2022 dispatched with instructions to obtain all information that may be relevant in unveiling the circumstances surrounding the incident,” she said.
Makori stated that IPOA would remain independent, unbiased, and transparent.
“In line with the provisions of the IPOA Act Section 7 (a)(x), which dictates that deaths and injuries occasioned by actions of the police be investigated by the Authority, and Section 5 of the Sixth Schedule of the National Police Service Act which compels the police to report all deaths, serious injury and other grave consequences to the Authority for investigations, “she said.
Three persons died during the incident, while another was pronounced dead at a local hospital after suffering gunshot wounds after allegedly being shot at by police.
The four deaths were confirmed by officials of Makindu Hospital, who said that six other persons had been injured to varying degrees.
The police squad was dispatched to Masimba, located on the main Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.
Residents who were enraged barricaded the route for hours, shutting off the transportation corridor and leaving cars and truckers defenseless.